Tornado overhead cam I6

[Pookapotamus]

Did anyone catch extreme 4x4 the other week? They found an old jeep keiser in the junk yard with a tornado inline 6 with overhead cam. Want to know more about that engine looks interesting!!!! Steve you seem to know a lot about the old military jeeps.

[4.3LXJ]

Yeah know something about them. Very advanced for their time in the early 60s, but not well tested. They did OK, not the hp you would expect from most OC engines nowadays. They had a weak spot though, the camshaft. They broke frequently. We had one in a 64 Wagoneer. Mom Broke it doing about 15 mph less than a block from the house. We replaced it with a fully loaded 67 Charger. Much more fun to drive :D

[Pookapotamus]

The more I read about them the more I want one, update it with fuel injection, bore it out, see what it's real potential is.

[4.3LXJ]

Head work would be the ticket. Bigger valves and ports and custom cam

[Pookapotamus]

Even just adding a second lobe to control one of the valves would help!

[4.3LXJ]

Just about anything would. They are not a powerhouse for sure

[Pookapotamus]

No but it's just such a neet engine! I wonder if I could find one up here in Canada???

[4.3LXJ]

Good question. Any army surplus yards around? That engine was in the M715

[Pookapotamus]

Yes there is one, I will have to check it out.

[Pookapotamus]

according to this article, the tornado was greatly underestimated.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2012/06/classic-engine-jeeps-tornado-straight-six.html

210 ftlbs of torque before 1000 rpm methinks this thing was a tractor!!!

[bluedragon436]

I've been trying to find a build thread a guy did on a M715, where he updated, and did some tweaking to the Tornado... He got pretty decent power out of it, for what it was... I like the integrated skid plate on the oil pan... I have always wondered why Jeep didn't do this with the 4.0.

[Pookapotamus]

I love odd things, and the tornado is right up my alley!

The Argentinians went on to develop a 215hp version of the tornado, I believe it is still a sohc with 6 lobes and 3 carbs!!! I believe it is the "Torino 233 7-Bearing" having problems finding specs or much info on it at all.

The stroke on these is massive! 4.375" I think with the proper updating this could be quite the little torque monster!

[bluedragon436]

If you could build it into something similar to a budget stroker build on the 4.0's, using the 4.2L crank and rods... I think they are about that same stroke... so not sure what the bore is on these Tornados compared to a 4.0... but I know I've seen some folks run a 4.0 block with stock bore pistons, 4.2L crank and rods put out some pretty good power.. So would imagine if you could manage to run something like a 4.0 bore size on one of these.. should pt out some decent power and def decent torque..

[Pookapotamus]

The 258 only has a stroke of 3.895", the tornado came with a stroke of 4.375 almost half an inch more! This was a factory stoker!

Bore it out to have more displacement, fuel inject it and it would preform very well

[denverd1]

Very interesting!! I'd love to see one built up

[abebehrmann]

I guess now we know the powerplant under the hood of the 6x6 Jeep Cherokee!

[Pookapotamus]

I guess now we know the powerplant under the hood of the 6x6 Jeep Cherokee!


Maybe.........

[Pookapotamus]

....but it needs a 6 speed manual behind it.

[denverd1]

Even just adding a second lobe to control one of the valves would help!

so intake and exhaust valves run on the same lobe???

[Pookapotamus]

so intake and exhaust valves run on the same lobe???


Ya, this keeps the valves inline for great cross flow through the head. Unfortunately though it means you can't fine tune the lobe profile. But does allow bigger valves. Could design offset rockers to allow a second lobe, but might not gain much.

[denverd1]

does it build any compression to speak of?

[bluedragon436]

Very interesting!! I'd love to see one built up

Heck, I'd just love to see one in person... or pick one up to play with it a bit, and see why there might be for possibilities of tweaking it... I'm sure none of the 4.0 parts or mounts would work with it... otherwise I'd say look into putting a 99+ IM on it and the IronMan MM I have, and some bored pistons... and see what she'd do...

[Pookapotamus]

ok so how do we go about getting one of these??? specifically i am looking for the 1984 torino 233 7-bearing, (still trying to find info on this engine, conrod length and bearing dims etc..)

how the hell do we get these out of argentina??? any members from there?

[4.3LXJ]

While you are at it, have them send you a D44 front that was in the South American XJs

[Pookapotamus]

Good plan Steve! Did you receive your package yet?

[4.3LXJ]

Not yet, but Ryan is planning on installing tomorrow evening, so I guess it better get here

[Pookapotamus]

I hope it gets there tomorrow!!!!

[4.3LXJ]

I do too, otherwise all we can do is finish the front lift. :D

[Pookapotamus]

You can sit and enjoy a wobbly pop!

[abebehrmann]

ok so how do we go about getting one of these??? specifically i am looking for the 1984 torino 233 7-bearing, (still trying to find info on this engine, conrod length and bearing dims etc..)

how the hell do we get these out of argentina??? any members from there?

Sounds like you and Mort are in need of an adventure down the Pan-American Highway like these guys!

https://youtu.be/QrPbBkr44PU?list=PLGvTvFzdMg_Mlk222V60pPCj_uohycX_ P

[Pookapotamus]

That would be a super fun trip!

[4.3LXJ]

That would be a super fun trip!

There are a few stretches of jungle with no roads. Might need a 6X6 eh?:rolleyes:

[Pookapotamus]

There are a few stretches of jungle with no roads. Might need a 6X6 eh?:rolleyes:


I better get on that then! Except thats what the engine is for!

[4.3LXJ]

I think you have the same problem I do. More imagination than budget. :D

[Pookapotamus]

I think you have the same problem I do. More imagination than budget. :D


But what an imagination it is!!!

[4.3LXJ]

yup, I can dream up anything :D

When younger I hung out at a 4X4 shop. When I wasn't doing work there, the owner and I would try to dream up stuff. He actually got a couple of patents off those skull sessions